One of the world's best players started and finished the match for Jose Mourinho's men, but just how well did he do? Scroll down for the blow by blow account of Ronaldo's return to the North West.

Catch me if you can: Ronaldo (right) is pursued by Pablo Zabaleta

95min: FULL-TIME! MANCHESTER CITY 1 REAL MADRID 1

It's all over for Manchester City! Ronaldo was kept quiet in the second half, but that will be little consolation for Roberto Mancini.

After Real went down to ten men the Portugal captain had to pitch in with the collective defensive effort to stop City snatching the winner.

90min: The board goes up for stoppage time. Jose Mourinho is not at all happy when the number '5' pops up. He waves his hands like a conductor of an orchestra before shrugging and sarcastically clapping the fourth official.

88min: Ronaldo has a foot race with Nastasic now on the left wing. The young Serbian does brilliantly before being hacked down by the striker. He avoids a booking... just.

84min: Ronaldo had a lively first half but he's gone off the boil. He links up well with Di Maria before losing the ball to Javi Garcia.

He stomps his feet on the ground rather than chasing back to help out the other nine men of Real.

83min: Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho are furious with the referee. The striker weaves his way through four City players before Kompany blocks him off. He goes to ground, but to no avail.

Another tantrum ensues, but City are still desperate for the win and carry on regardless.

81min: Ronaldo collides with Kompany on the half-way line. The big Belgian stays down with what appears to be cramp and the sporting Ronaldo eventually helps him to his feet.

77min: Ronaldo tries to relieve some pressure. He bursts forward and fires a shot wide from the edge of the area. It's all City though, and Hart re-starts the game quickly.

Could it be another dour night at the Etihad for Ronaldo? He's been sent off twice here in the past for United... and has suffered defeat a couple of times too.

73min: GOAL! MAN CITY 1 Real Madrid 1

It's a penalty for City! Ronaldo isn't involved but he's powerless to stop Dzeko finding Aguero in the area. Alvaro Arbeloa is trying to make up lost ground and pulls the City man down to ground.

He picks up his second yellow card and is sent off before Aguero sends Casillas the wrong way.

Missing us? Ronaldo took a fair bit of stick from the CIty fans

67min: A bit of histrionics now from Ronaldo. Remember that? He knocks the ball past Kompany on the left and the pair race after the ball. Kompany sticks out an arm to keep pace with his opponent and Ronaldo halts his run and stands, arms aloft, looking expectantly at the referee.

No sympathy from the official - or the City fans - and Ronaldo stomps his feet as the game carries on.

66min: He fires a stinging shot into the arms of Hart. The City stopper keeps the ball out, but it almost falls for Benzema. They escape, and the game remains 1-0.

64min: It's all gone a bit quiet for Ronaldo now. Real are under their first bout of pressure and the £80million-man is being forced to help out at the back.

Sergio Aguero almost squares the match up for City, but Iker Casillas makes an exceptional save.

57min: How on earth is he onside there? Ronaldo breaks onto a lofted pass on the left and drifts into the box. Khedira and Benzema are queuing up at the back post. Cristiano finds Khedira who heads the ball tamely into Joe Hart's arms.

That was a chance to finish City off, but they get away with it this time.

Come on! Ronaldo threw a strop when the referee didn't give him a decision

53min: It's end to end stuff, but Ronaldo has had a quieter opening 10 minutes than he did in the first half.

He gave us a blast from the past over on the left by performing a few unnecessary stepovers before sliding a pass to Coentrao.

45min: KICK-OFF: The match is under way again. Javi Garcia has come on for Aleksandar Kolarov.

45min: HALF-TIME: Ronaldo has been a thorn in Mancini's side during the first period, but it's Karim Benzema who scored the only goal so far.

Maicon, who was booked just before the break, won't be relishing his second 45 minutes up against the Portuguese striker. If he's still on, that is...

42min: He's moved into the centre forward position at least momentarily, swapping with Karim Benzema for the meantime.

37min: The biggest cheer of the night from the home fans! Sergio Aguero bounds back as Ronaldo races well into the City half. The little striker slides in and nips the ball away from Cristiano. He's not at all happy, but that was a good tackle.

Know your role: Sergio Aguero had to battle back to dispossess Cristiano Ronaldo in the first half

Baptism of fire: Matija Nastasic (left) partnered Vincent Kompany at the back for City

30min: Famous last words. He nips away from Yaya Toure who brings him down and picks up the first yellow card of the night. He'll be missing City's final group game away at Borussia Dortmund.

28min: City have finally kept Cristiano quiet for a few minutes. They are keeping the ball and have managed to get a foothold in this game.

23min: It's Zabaleta's turn to try and dispossess Ronaldo now. The 27-year-old is in a playful mood and torments the Argentinean before laying the ball on. A remarkable show of skill which eventually culminated in a big chance for Khedira. He doesn't take it though.

16min: He should have scored! A speculative ball is popped over the Manchester City defence. Ronaldo is onto it in a flash and bears down on Joe Hart. Perhaps he's too cocky here, as he scoops the ball over Hart and Matija Nastasic is able to hook it off the line.

It isn't just Cristiano City are struggling to cope with, Real are giving them the run around all over the park.

13min: Ronaldo gets the hop on Maicon and fires a cross into the box. Sami Khedira opens up his body and puts it wide.

Get off! Ronaldo throws himself to the floor after Zabaleta tugs his shirt

Relaxed: Ronaldo looked in the mood at the Etihad

Moments later he's on the ball again! He quickly changes direction, leaving Kompany in his wake. He isn't shying away from this one despite the boos.

11min: GOAL! Man City 0 REAL MADRID 1

It's not Ronaldo, don't worry City fans. But the English Champions have gone a goal down after an unthreatening cross makes its way through to Karim Benzema, who drifts past Maicon at the back stick to slot home.

9min: Pablo Zabaleta holds Ronaldo back after he releases the ball. The referee plays the advantage but the attack comes to nothing. The City fans spot Ronaldo's theatrical complaints. Cue more boos.

8min: Real Madrid get their first half-chance from the left, but it's not Ronaldo who carves it out, it's Fabio Coentrao. He nips round Maicon but his cross is cut out by Vincent Kompany.

3min: The main man for Real gets his first touch and, as a former Manchester United player, guess what the reaction is from the home support? Correct. A chorus of boos from the City fans.

The Portugal captain responds with a deft backheel to find Luka Modric. What a response.

19.45: KICK-OFF! Roberto Mancini has started Brazilian Maicon at right back to combat the unique talent that is Cristiano Ronaldo.

He's vastly experienced and looked handy when he came on against Tottenham a fortnight ago, but everyone will be recalling his Inter Milan performances against Spurs two years ago.

Gareth Bale tore the 31-year-old apart. City will be hoping Ronaldo can't do the same again tonight.

Welcome (back) to Manchester: Cristiano Ronaldo flew in to Manchester on Tuesday